Clear

It is one simple word, but something I use to get my mind back on track……on and off the bike. Clear.

I seem to get all up in my head way more than I should. What I mean by that is I think too much. Yeah, my head is always full of all sorts of worries, thoughts, and issues. I wish I could say that it’s always full of great ideas, but with all the other crap going on up there….I don’t think there’s any room left for those.

I recently went through a phase where I was getting a flat once a week while riding. Because it was happening so much, all I seemed to think about each ride was “am I going to get another flat tire?” Any rough patch or vibration from my back wheel would immediately get me thinking it was flat, which led to negative thoughts of having to stop my ride to fix another one.

I don’t know about you, but I’m a believer in thoughts creating actions. I feel that if I focus enough of my mind on getting a flat tire, that’s exactly what’s going to happen.

That’s when that one simple word comes into play. When I catch myself with these kinds of thoughts, I keep repeating the word “clear” in my head so that there is no room for anything else in there. I do it for long enough to calm things down and get those negative thoughts out of my head.

I first started using my “clear” approach when I seemed to always get chased by this one nasty dog while riding a route in the hill country around Austin. Every time I rode that way I would start thinking about this dog and how I didn’t want him to chase after me. But every time, that’s exactly what would happen.

One day I tried repeating the word “clear” in my head before I got to where the dog was located. Guess what? I didn’t get chased. Call it coincidence, or the power of positive thinking…..but it worked.

The next time you find yourself thinking thoughts you know you shouldn’t be thinking, on and off the bike….try repeating the word “Clear”.

Mr. Miyagi’s “Sun is warm, grass is green” mantra and a very powerful tool! It’s amazing what we can accomplish when we get out of our own way. Things like focus, action and results start to pop up with regularity. I dig it it dude!

I’ve re-read that quote from Miyagi several times over the past couple days. I’ve seen Karate Kid a bunch of times but forgot about that one. I’m going to remember those words for when I need it. Once again, thanks for adding to the post Joel.

My question is other than juice, can you suggest modifications in lieu of table sugar for energy and hydration.

Answer:

Both raw/organic honey or agave can work great in the homebrew (substitute in the same quantities for the sugar, or to taste), but you do have to shake well in order to make sure they don’t settle out. Have you tried either of these? Also, make sure to use at least the minimum amount of salt recommended in the homebrew as the temps rise, you need the sodium replacement if you’re sweating.